Apparatus and method for managing voice communications

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to receive a call request from a set top box that is remote from the server where the call request identifies a telephone number that is presented from video content presented by the set top box where the telephone number is detected based on a combination of image pattern recognition and speech recognition and where the telephone number is associated with a marketing entity, establish a voice communication with a first telephone device associated with the set top box, and establish the voice communication with a second telephone device associated with the telephone number and the marketing entity if the first telephone device accepts the voice communication. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/565,470, filed on Dec. 10, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/897,481, filed on Oct. 4, 2010 (now U.S. Pat.No. 8,935,737), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.No. 12/634,729, filed on Dec. 10, 2009 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,869,195),the disclosures of all of which are incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems andmore specifically to an apparatus and method for managing voicecommunications.

BACKGROUND

Marketing efforts often provide telephone contact information shownduring video content. Viewers can call the telephone number to make apurchase or otherwise participate in the marketing effort that has beenshown.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system thatprovides media services;

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal interacting withthe communication system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system thatprovides media services;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method operating inportions of the communication systems of FIGS. 1 and 3; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments of methods and devices for facilitating voice calls that areassociated with media content presented on a display device of a mediasystem. In one embodiment, pattern recognition can be utilized toidentify a telephone number presented in video content, while speechrecognition is utilized to identify a telephone number in audio content.If the telephone numbers match, then a voice communication can beestablished using the matching telephone number. In one embodiment, thevoice communication using the telephone number can be between atelephone device that is associated with a set top box, where the settop box performed the pattern and speech recognition. In anotherembodiment, the voice communication can be implemented by having thetelephone device first receive a call from a remote server and then havethe voice communication established with a second telephone deviceassociated with the telephone number. Other embodiments are alsocontemplated.

One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a computer-readablestorage medium operating in a set top box, where the storage mediumcomprises computer instructions to present video content at a displaydevice, determine a first telephone number that is displayed from thevideo content presented at the display device using image patternrecognition, determine a second telephone number by applying speechrecognition to at least an audio portion of the video content, presentan option to establish voice communication with a marketing entityassociated with the video content when the first telephone numbermatches the second telephone number, receive an input (for example, froma remote controller) associated with the set top box in response to thepresentation of the option, and transmit a call request to a remoteserver when the input is received, wherein the voice communication isestablished between a first telephone device associated with the set topbox and a second telephone device associated with the marketing entitybased on the call request and the determined telephone number.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a server havinga controller to receive a call request from a set top box that is remotefrom the server, wherein the call request identifies a telephone numberthat is presented from video content presented by the set top box,wherein the telephone number is detected based on a combination of imagepattern recognition and speech recognition, wherein the telephone numberis associated with a marketing entity, establish a voice communicationwith a first telephone device associated with the set top box, establishthe voice communication with a second telephone device associated withthe telephone number of the marketing entity if the first telephonedevice accepts the voice communication.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a methodincluding presenting video content at a display device, determining afirst telephone number that is displayed from the video contentpresented at the display device using image pattern recognition,determining a second telephone number that is audibly presented from thevideo content using speech-to-text conversion and text patternrecognition, comparing the first telephone number and the secondtelephone number to identify a matching telephone number, andtransmitting a call request to a remote server based on the matchingtelephone number, wherein a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)communication is established between a first telephone device associatedwith the set top box and a second telephone device associated with amarketing entity based on the call request and the matching telephonenumber.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) broadcast mediasystem. The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO)110 with at least one super headend office server (SHS) 111 whichreceives media content from satellite and/or terrestrial communicationsystems. In the present context, media content can represent audiocontent, moving image content such as videos, still image content, orcombinations thereof. The SHS server 111 can forward packets associatedwith the media content to video head-end servers (VHS) 114 via a networkof video head-end offices (VHO) 112 according to a common multicastcommunication protocol.

The VHS 114 can distribute multimedia broadcast programs via an accessnetwork 118 to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing agateway 104 (such as a common residential or commercial gateway). Theaccess network 118 can represent a group of digital subscriber lineaccess multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a servicearea interface that provide broadband services over optical links orcopper twisted pairs 119 to buildings 102. The gateway 104 can usecommon communication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 108 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 107 (such as aninfrared or RF remote control).

The gateway 104, the media processors 106, and media devices 108 canutilize tethered interface technologies (such as coaxial or phone linewiring) or can operate over a common wireless access protocol. Withthese interfaces, unicast communications can be invoked between themedia processors 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media system forservices such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 130 a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing portal services over an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) network 132 to wireline media devices 108 or wirelesscommunication devices 116 by way of a wireless access base station 117operating according to common wireless access protocols such as WirelessFidelity (WiFi), or cellular communication technologies (such as GSM,CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, and so on).

It will be appreciated by an artisan of ordinary skill in the art that asatellite broadcast television system can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115supplying media content can be intercepted by a common satellite dishreceiver 131 coupled to the building 102. Modulated signals interceptedby the satellite dish receiver 131 can be submitted to the mediaprocessors 106 for generating broadcast channels which can be presentedat the media devices 108. The media processors 106 can be equipped witha broadband port to the ISP network 132 to enable infrastructureservices such as VoD and EPG described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital broadcast distributionsystem such as cable TV system 133 can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system described above. In this embodiment the cable TV system 133can provide Internet, telephony, and interactive media services.

In one embodiment, the servers 130 can be utilized for establishingfirst and second legs of a call based on a telephone number displayedduring media broadcast or other media content. For example, an STB 106can have pattern and/or speech recognition algorithms running constantlyor otherwise in the background scanning the contents of each video frameand/or audio content that is presented on the TV 108. When a valid phonenumber is presented on the TV 108, through the use of the remote control107, the user can click on the phone number, and transmit a signal tothe STB indicating the desire to dial that phone number. The STB 106 canalso perform a confirmation step by matching telephone numbersidentified by the pattern and speech recognition algorithms. The STB 106can then communicate to the servers 130 such as through the broadbandgateway 104. A VoIP (voice over IP) call is then initiated by theservers 130. The first leg of the call can be made to the caller'sdesignated phone in the home. When the user picks up the phone, thenetwork then initiates the second leg of the call to the number dialed.If the number dialed is on the public wireline or wireless telephonenetwork, the call can go through a VoIP gateway in the serviceprovider's VoIP network before being handed to the public wireline orwireless network. When the party at the dialed number answers the call,the VoIP network can bridge the two legs of the call, and an end-to-endcall is successfully established.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal 202 which canoperate from the computing devices 130 described earlier ofcommunication system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The portal 202 can beused for managing services of communication system 100. The portal 202can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with a commonInternet browser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer™ using anInternet-capable communication device such as those described forFIG. 1. The portal 202 can be configured, for example, to access a mediaprocessor 106 and services managed thereby such as a Digital VideoRecorder (DVR), a VoD catalog, an EPG, a personal catalog (such aspersonal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.) stored in the mediaprocessor, provisioning IMS services described earlier, provisioningInternet services, provisioning cellular phone services, and so on.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 300 fordelivering media content. Communication system 300 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with communication system 100 as another representativeembodiment of said communication systems. System 300 can includeresidences or other subscriber locations where an STB presents mediacontent on a display device, such as a TV. Various devices can beutilized for communicating and managing the media services that arepresented at the residence, including gateways, DSLAMs and so forth. Inone embodiment, the system can provide for delivery of media content aswell as establishing VoIP communications, such as through a VoIP adapterthat connects a telephone to the broadband gateway.

System 300 can utilize various communication protocols and components.For instance, the system 300 can provide for IPTV media services incombination with VoIP services over a network that connects a pluralityof the residences or other user locations (including businesslocations). In another embodiment, the subscriber IPTV/VoIP network canbe coupled to a public wireline and wireless telephone network. Thesystem 300 can allow for telephone communication (e.g., VoIP calls) tobe established between residences and entities that are advertising orotherwise marketing in video content that is being presented to theusers.

The STBs can be provided with pattern-recognition capability, such asthrough software downloads or the like, which can run in the background.For example, the software download can be a remote, in-field, firmwareupgrade to the STBs via a service provider's network. In one embodiment,the pattern recognition can run constantly so that any advertisementscan be monitored. In another embodiment, the pattern recognition can beselectively implemented, including according to a user's choice (such asin a user profile) or according to a service provider's choice, (such asbased on selected media content or a user's service plan). The patternrecognition, can be adjusted based on the particular location of theSTB, such as for North American application, the software recognitioncomponents can look for 10 or 11 digit E.164 phone numbers that aredisplayed on the TV in all possible formats, e.g. 1-800-555-5555, 1(800) 555-5555, (800) 555-5555 and so forth. In one embodiment, thepattern recognition components can also look for valid seven digit phonenumbers which can then be combined with the viewer's area code, such aspre-stored in the STB.

The STB can display calling choices on the TV to the viewer when one ormore telephone numbers are detected on the screen or detected audiblyfrom the video content. The STB can also display calling choices or acalling choice on the TV when both a detected telephone number on thescreen and a detected audible telephone number corroborate. The STB canreceive a viewer's response through the remote control and relay such aresponse to the network to initiate the call. Note that the speechrecognition can be done using a speech recognition module 320 and adetection module 330 for example operating in two different modes. In a“Constant Mode”, the “speech recognition” capability runs constantly.The speech recognition module 320 takes the STB's audio output as itsinput, and outputs the corresponding text through its speech-to-textcapability. The text is then fed through a similar detection module asdescribed above, which constantly looks for 7, 10 or 11 digit dial-ablephone numbers or other appropriate number pattern. In an “On-DemandMode”, less processing is required since the constant mode can beprocessing intensive due to the constant running of the “speechrecognition” module. Thus, with the “On-Demand Mode”, the speechrecognition module can alternatively be activated on-demand in order tobe more resource efficient. To support the on-demand mode, the STB canuse a buffer 310 to buffer a few seconds (or other predeterminedamounts) of video and/or audio content that has already been played onthe TV. This buffering capability allows a viewer to rewind the TVcontents in real time in order to re-watch the contents that weredisplayed a few seconds or minutes ago. In the “on-demand” mode, as soonas the “pattern recognition” module and its associated “detection”module find a possible phone number, the “speech recognition” modulewill be activated. The “speech recognition” module can then immediatelyanalyze the audio wave of the buffered contents starting from a fewseconds before and generates text output. The text is then fed through asimilar “detection” module as described above, which constantly looksfor 7, 10 or 11 digit dial-able phone number or other appropriatepattern. In either mode, the phone number obtained by the “speechrecognition” module is compared to the phone number obtained by the“pattern recognition” method. In an implementation with improvedaccuracy, the STB only presents a detected phone number to the viewerfor calling, if the phone numbers detected by both the “patternrecognition” and the “speech recognition” methods match to the samenumber.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative method 400 operating in portions ofcommunication systems 100 and 300. Method 400 can begin with step 405 inwhich the STB scans the screen for a telephone number that is associatedwith advertising or other marketing efforts. For instance, the TV can bedisplaying a phone number to call, such as “To order, call1-800-555-5555 now.” The pattern recognition software on the STB can becontinuously scanning each screen display (e.g., each video frame orselect video frames) and can detect a pattern that matches a valid phonenumber as in step 410. The STB can convert the detected pattern to text,i.e. 1-800-555-5555. The method can optionally perform speechrecognition to audibly scan for valid phone numbers beginning at step455 as further described below. The STB can present a calling option onthe TV to the viewer. The presentation of the calling option can be of anumber of different formats, e.g. an overlay text bar at the bottom ofthe TV screen which displays “Press OK on your remote control to dialthis number: 1-800-555-5555; Press Exit to cancel.”

In step 415, if the user decides to call this number, he or she canpress the “OK” button on the STB remote control or otherwise send asignal to the STB through the remote or through another device incommunication with the STB. If the user does not want to call, he canpress the “Exit” button to remove the overlay text bar, and/or wait fora time-out when the STB stops displaying the overlay text bar. In step420, if the user desires to place the call then the STB can eitherinitiate the call or forward this information to a communication serverin the Service Provider network which then initiates the call.

In step 425, the server or other component of the service provider'snetwork can initiate the call to the calling party (e.g., the user).This action can cause the user's phone number to be rung, for example, aPOTS phone, a VOIP phone, and/or a cell phone. The selection of thephone or phone's to be rung can be pre-determined, such as based on auser profile. If the user answers the ringing phone in step 430 then theoff-hook condition can allow the service provider's network to ring thedesired telephone number, in this case 1-800-555-5555, in step 435.

If the call to the desired telephone number is answered by the calledparty in step 440 (such as the marketing entity at 1-800-555-5555), thetelephone call is established, connecting the viewer with the marketingentity in step 445. If calling party does not answer the ring or if thecalled party does not answer the ring then the call is terminated as instep 450.

In one embodiment, if a plurality of phone numbers are detected on thescreen then a message can be displayed in the overlay text bar such as“Press OK on your remote control to dial phone numbers on the screen;Press Exit to cancel.” If the user presses OK, then the STB can displaya menu on the TV screen, listing the phone numbers that it has detectedfrom the screen. At that point, the user can use the remote control toenter “1”, “2”, etc. to dial a selected phone number in the list. Thenthe menu on the screen disappears. If the viewer presses “Exit”, theoverlay text display can disappear.

Method 400 can also operate concurrently or separately beginning withstep 455 in which the STB scans an audible portion of the video contentand performs a speech-to-text conversion at 460 in the process to searchfor a telephone number that is associated with advertising or othermarketing efforts. For instance, the TV can be presenting a phone numberto call, such as “To order, call 1-800-555-5555 now” both visually andaudibly. The speech recognition module on the STB can be continuously orselectively scanning the audio and can detect a pattern that matches avalid phone number as in step 465 using a detection module thatrecognizes a valid phone number format. The method can further perform acomparison at 470 for additional accuracy and can compare the firsttelephone number recognized visually (at 410) with the second telephonenumber recognized audibly at 465. In one embodiment, if no match isfound between the two phone numbers, the method returns to continuescanning at 455 or at 405 or both. If a match is found, the STB canpresent a calling option on the TV or audibly to the viewer at 415. Thepresentation of the calling option can be of a number of differentformats, e.g. an overlay text bar at the bottom of the TV screen whichdisplays “Press OK on your remote control to dial this number:1-800-555-5555; Press Exit to cancel” or the phone number can bepresented audibly and speech recognition can be used to activate thecall option.

At step 415, if the user decides to call this number, he or she canpress the “OK” button on the STB remote control, audibly say “OK” or“YES” using voice control or otherwise send a signal to the STB throughthe remote or through another device in communication with the STB andthe method can continue with steps 420-450 as described above. If theuser does not want to call, he can press the “Exit” button (or say“Exit”) to remove the overlay text bar, and/or wait for a time-out whenthe STB stops displaying the overlay text bar and the method can returnto step 405 or alternatively to 455 (or both).

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below.

For example, the STB can utilize speech recognition in combination with,or in place, of video pattern recognition to determine telephone numbersthat can be called. For instance, a telephone number that is recited bya host during the advertising or other video content, such as by a hostin a telethon, can be detected and the option for calling from the STBcan be presented to the viewer. The particular method for presenting theoption to call the marketing entity can vary. For instance, overlays,semi-transparent overlays and/or audio messages can be presented to theviewer.

In another embodiment, the option to call the marketing entity can beintentionally delayed. For example, the option to call the marketingentity can be presented at a different communication device, such as atthe viewer's mobile device, at a later time so that the viewer does notneed to interrupt his or her viewing experience. The timing of thepresentation of the option and/or the GUI used for the option can bedetermined based on a number of factors, including monitored userbehavior, a user profile and so forth.

In another embodiment, the capability to automatically establish voicecommunications with marketing entities associated with video contentthrough image and/or speech recognition of telephone numbers presentedduring the video content can be restricted by the service provider, suchas to particular channels or particular types of media content.

In another embodiment, the STB can store telephone numbers and associatethem with particular media content. These stored telephone numbers canalso be used as part of the confirmation process for establishing atelephone number, including error detection in applying the patternand/or speech recognition.

Other suitable modifications can be applied to the present disclosurewithout departing from the scope of the claims below. Accordingly, thereader is directed to the claims section for a fuller understanding ofthe breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 500 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 500 may include a processor 502 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 504 and a static memory 506, which communicate with each othervia a bus 508. The computer system 500 may further include a videodisplay unit 510 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system500 may include an input device 512 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 514 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 516, a signal generationdevice 518 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 520.

The disk drive unit 516 may include a machine-readable medium 522 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 524)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 524may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 504, the static memory 506, and/or within the processor 502during execution thereof by the computer system 500. The main memory 504and the processor 502 also may constitute machine-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 524, or that which receives and executes instructions 524from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 526 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 526 using the instructions 524. Theinstructions 524 may further be transmitted or received over a network526 via the network interface device 520.

While the machine-readable medium 522 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape;and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives is considered a distributionmedium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of amachine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a processor; and a memorythat stores executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, facilitate performance of operations comprising: storing inthe memory a telephone number associated with media content; presentingthe media content at a display device; determining that an image patterndisplayed from a video component of the media content and presented atthe display device represents a first telephone number, using imagepattern recognition; converting the image pattern to a first telephonenumber; comparing the first telephone number with the stored telephonenumber to determine whether the first telephone number matches thestored telephone number; and responsive to determining a matchingcondition including a match between the first telephone number and thestored telephone number, presenting an option to establish voicecommunication with a party associated with the media content.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the converting comprises converting the imagepattern to a first text comprising the first telephone number, andwherein the operations further comprise: converting an audio componentof the media content to a second text; detecting a second telephonenumber in the second text; and comparing the first telephone number withthe second telephone number to determine whether the first telephonenumber matches the second telephone number, wherein the matchingcondition further includes a match between the first telephone numberand the second telephone number.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein theoperations further comprise buffering a portion of the audio componentto generate a buffered portion, and wherein converting the audiocomponent comprises converting the buffered portion.
 4. The device ofclaim 3, wherein the buffered portion is converted using speechrecognition activated upon determination of the first telephone number.5. The device of claim 1, wherein the image pattern recognition isimplemented according to a user profile.
 6. The device of claim 1,wherein the image pattern recognition is implemented according to a userservice plan, wherein the user service plan is offered by a serviceprovider in communication with the device.
 7. The device of claim 1,wherein the operations further comprise: responsive to a determinationthat the media content includes a plurality of telephone numbers,displaying a menu of the plurality of telephone numbers and an overlayat the display device with a message regarding selecting and calling oneof the plurality of telephone numbers.
 8. The device of claim 7, whereinthe operations further comprise: receiving an input from user equipmentin response to the message, the input comprising selection of atelephone number from the menu; and transmitting a call request to aremote server in accordance with the input, to establish the voicecommunication between a first telephone device associated with the userequipment and a second telephone device associated with the selectedtelephone number.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the determiningfurther comprises: recognizing a telephone number format in the imagepattern; and detecting that the image pattern conforms to a validtelephone number.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the detectingfurther comprises detecting that the image pattern conforms to atelephone number having seven digits, ten digits, or eleven digits. 11.A method comprising: storing, by a device comprising a processor, atelephone number in a memory coupled to the processor, wherein thetelephone number is associated with media content; presenting, by thedevice, the media content at a display device; determining, by thedevice, that an image pattern displayed from a video component of themedia content and presented at the display device represents a firsttelephone number, using image pattern recognition; converting, by thedevice, the image pattern to a first telephone number; comparing, by thedevice, the first telephone number with the stored telephone number todetermine whether the first telephone number matches the storedtelephone number; and responsive to determining a matching conditionincluding a match between the first telephone number and the storedtelephone number, presenting, by the device, an option to establishvoice communication with a party associated with the media content,wherein the image pattern recognition is selectively implementedaccording to a user profile or according to a user service plan.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the converting comprises converting theimage pattern to a first text comprising the first telephone number, andfurther comprising: converting an audio component of the media contentto a second text; detecting a second telephone number in the secondtext; and comparing the first telephone number with the second telephonenumber to determine whether the first telephone number matches thesecond telephone number, wherein the matching condition further includesa match between the first telephone number and the second telephonenumber.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising buffering aportion of the audio component to generate a buffered portion, andwherein converting the audio component comprises converting the bufferedportion.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the buffered portion isconverted using speech recognition activated upon determination of thefirst telephone number.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:responsive to a determination that the media content includes aplurality of telephone numbers, displaying a menu of the plurality oftelephone numbers and an overlay at the display device with a messageregarding selecting and calling one of the plurality of telephonenumbers.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the determining furthercomprises: recognizing a telephone number format in the image pattern;and detecting that the image pattern conforms to a valid telephonenumber.
 17. A machine-readable storage medium, comprising executableinstructions that, when executed by a processor, facilitate performanceof operations, comprising: storing a telephone number in a memorycoupled to the processor, wherein the telephone number is associatedwith media content; presenting the media content at a display device;determining that an image pattern displayed from a video component ofthe media content and presented at the display device represents a firsttelephone number, using image pattern recognition, wherein thedetermining further comprises: recognizing a telephone number format inthe image pattern, and detecting that the image pattern conforms to avalid telephone number; converting the image pattern to a firsttelephone number; comparing the first telephone number with the storedtelephone number to determine whether the first telephone number matchesthe stored telephone number; and responsive to determining a matchingcondition including a match between the first telephone number and thestored telephone number, presenting an option to establish voicecommunication with a party associated with the media content.
 18. Themachine-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the convertingcomprises converting the image pattern to a first text comprising thefirst telephone number, and wherein the operations further comprise:converting an audio component of the media content to a second text;detecting a second telephone number in the second text; and comparingthe first telephone number with the second telephone number to determinewhether the first telephone number matches the second telephone number,wherein the matching condition further includes a match between thefirst telephone number and the second telephone number.
 19. Themachine-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the operationsfurther comprise buffering a portion of the audio component to generatea buffered portion, and wherein converting the audio component comprisesconverting the buffered portion.
 20. The machine-readable storage mediumof claim 19, wherein the buffered portion is converted using speechrecognition activated upon determination of the first telephone number.